At this moment some invisible hand pulled Oliva’s hood from behind, and her mask fell. She replaced it as quickly as possible, with a half-terrified cry, which was echoed by one of affected disquiet from her companion.
Several others around looked no little bewildered.
The cardinal nearly fainted, and Madame de la Motte supported him. The pressure of the crowd separated the Comte d’Artois and his party from them. Then the blue domino approached the cardinal, and said:
“This is indeed an irreparable misfortune; this lady’s honor is at your mercy.”
“Oh, monsieur!” murmured the cardinal, who was much agitated.
“Let us go quickly,” said the blue domino to Oliva; and they moved away.
“Now I know,” said Madame de la Motte to herself, “what the cardinal meant was impossible: he took this woman for the queen. But what an effect it has had on him?”
“Would you like to leave the ball?” asked M. de Rohan, in a feeble voice.
“As you please, monseigneur,” replied Jeanne.
“I do not find much interest here, do you?”